Improvement in fruit-gatherers



Ulvrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE,

JOHN Krsoa, or NEVADA, OHIO.

|MPRovl-:MEN1'IN Famr-GATHERERS..

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 136,072, dated .February 18, 1873.

` that class which is placed under the tree and catches or receives the falling fruit as the latter is shaken or the fruit otherwise removed therefrom, and deposits it in a receptacle located contiguously to the mouth of the gatherer 5 and the nature of this invention conssts of a textile apron or receptacle, suitably fastened to or stretched over a frame, the latter being susceptible of being tilted and trans- Y ported through any required means, substantially as hereinafter more fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

'lo enableothers to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe it.

In the accompanying drawing; A refers to the apron or receptacle, which' is made from some textile material, whereby the fruit, in falling upon the same, will not be bruised or otherwise damaged. This apron is preferably made circular and stretched, over the surface` of a cylindrical frame or hoop, B, to which `it is fastened, as shown in the drawing, or in any other suitable way. In the center or middle of thc surface 'of the apron A is an opening, around which and connected to the said apron is placed a spout, et, which conveys the fruit, after passing through the said opening, to the receptacle C. A valve or door, al, is hung in the opening or discharge just referred to for the purpose of checking the rapid movement of the fruit, lessening the liability of the latter bein g bruised in falling or passing from the apron to the receptacle which receives it. To cause the Afallin g fruit to approach and enter the discharge-opening, and at the same time have a tendency to keep it from being ejected from the said apron A in consequence of the force with which it is precipitated upon the latter, the apron is depressed at its center, whereby it is made to assume the shape of an inverted cone, as shown in the drawing, and then connected to the bolster of the frame, upon which its hoop is secured by cords or ropes a2 a2, through which'the said apron may be tightened or loosened, as desired. Bl B1 refer to a frame of suitable construction for suppor-ting the hoop or frame B, to which the apron is secured, the lower extremities of the bars constituting the same being suitably fast,- ened to another but smaller hoop or cylinder f'ame, B2, which is mounted upon a bolster,

mD. 'lhe bolster D is pivoted by means of a clip, d, or other suitable means, to an axle, E,

supplied with wheels F, so as to'permit of the p machine, supported thereon, being tilted, whereby the apron may be held in a horizontal position should the ground upon which the machine stands be hilly, uneven, or inclined. A perforated standard or upright, 411, which is fastened to the axle E, is made to pass up through a slot in the bolster D, and receives a key or pin, d2, passing through au aperture in the said bolster, the object of which being to p firmly hold the apron in the desired position.

To enable the machine to be conveniently handled in moving it from place to place, it is supplied with handles G G. Between and to the rear portions of these handles is secured a board, G1, upon which the receptacle C is placed. To support the said handles and board in a horizontal position while the machine is standing still, a leg, G2, is supplied to the said board.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the apron A a1 of a fruit-gatherer, of the valve al, substantially as specilied.

2. The adjustable pivoted bolster D, in co1nbination with the axle E and a frame for sup! porting the apron A, substantially as shown and described.

t v3.' The combination of the adjustable pivmy name this 22d daylof August, A. D. 1872,

in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- JOHN KISOR.

Witnesses: j D. A. KUHN,

Grecs MOCAULET. 

